I'd Rather Fight Than Switch

There's nothing like borrowing a tag-line from an old cigarette brand, like Tarrington's. I vaguely remember the TV commercials that depicted this good looking guy with a black eye. Apparently this good looking guy chose to fight rather than switch to another cigarette brand.

Well... As it turns out, there seems to be some legal matters to be worked out. My research shows that since I'm the co-buyer on my car- that I would need to be bought out of the contract before my car can be taken from me. These are some of the points that I am considering:

1> The DMV registration has my name on it, too.
2> As co-buyer, it is my OBLIGATION to pay the monthly installments on my car.
3> I have POSSESSION of my car.
4> I have not DEFAULTED on any of my payments.

as far as DMV is concerned, I'm the registered co-owner. As co-buyer, I signed the auto loan contract and are legally binding to pay it off either through 60 monthly installments or all at one time. My records show 5 consecutive on-time payments thus far. Therefore no defaults- no one can take my car if I'm maintaining the payments. The Cobalt is in my possession, which is like "squatters rights" with a twist. As well as documented proof, as in copies of my cancelled checks that my payments were made on-time each month since this past February.

Now if the buyer wants me off of that contract- he'll have to buy-me-out on all monies that I've put into that car. Or relinquish himself from the contract. Either way that loan doc is going to be re-written. If he decides to buy me out then hell, I also want the $500 that my Subaru earned in the trade. I'd like to work this out- but, if it comes to it I'm prepared to go to small claims court as a last resort. I'm a mellow guy, but when I get T-boned by someone who thinks he knows it all. Hell, the whole point of a co-signer on a loan is to "lend" the help of a more superior credit rating. It does not give carte Blanche rights to take something away and give it to another. As Faye Dunaway portrayed Joan Crawford so eloquently in the movie Mommy Dearest- I'm reminded of the line stated during the Pepsico Board meeting...

DON'T FUCK WITH ME FELLAS!

The gauntlet has been thrown and will most likely trash an 18 year friendship.